Clips and method for sealing containers therewith



Feb. 26, 1963 J. w. HILL CLIPS AND METHOD FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Original Filed Aug. 6, 1955 THEREWITH 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN WIN LLI;

Feb. 26, 1963 J. w. HILL 3,079,067

CLIPS AND METHOD FOR SEALING CONTAINERS THEREWITH Original Filed Aug. 6. 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 26, 1963 J. w. HILL 3,079,067

CLIPS AND METHOD FOR SEALING CONTAINERS THEREWITH Original Filed Aug. 6, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 lll' IlI

J. w. HILL 3,079,067

8 Sheets-Sheet 4 o Nm. um@

Feb. 26, 1963 CLIPS AND METHOD FOR SEALING CONTAINERS THEREWITH original Filed Aug. e, 1953 Feb. 26, 1963 J. w. HILL 3,079,067

CLIPS AND METHOD FOR SEALING CONTAINERS THEREWITH Original Filed Aug. 6, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 26, 1963 J. w. HILL 3,079,067'

CLIPS AND METHOD FOR SEALING CONTAINERS THEREWITH Original Filed Aug. 6, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 J. w. HILL 3,079,067 CLIPS AND METHOD FOR SEALING CONTAINERS THEREWITH Feb. 26, 1963 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed Aug. 6, 1953 W w M f Feb. 26, 1963 J. w. HILL cLIPs AND METHOD FOR sEALING CONTAINERS THEREWITH 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed Aug. 6, 1953 iinited dentes arent 3,679,067 CLEFS AND METHD FR SEMNG CN'IANERS THEEEVi/ETH .lohn W. Hiil, deceased, late of Chicago, lll., by Mary M. Hill, adminietratrix, Chicago, lll.; said .lohn W. Hill assigner, by mesne assignments, to The Kartridg Pak Co., Mount' Prospect, ill., a corporation ot Iowa @riginal application Aug. 6, 1953, Ser. No. 372,791, now Patent No. dde/,8116, dated May 19, 1959. Divided and this appiication Feb. l2, 1959, Ser. No. 792,773 7 Claims. (tCl. 229-65) The present invention relates to closing and sealing the ilexible ends of containers, such as casings, bags, cartons, etc. More particularly this invention relates to a method and apparatus for closing containers by means of clips and the clips employed therefor.

The present application is a division of lohn W. Hill application Serial No. 372,701, led August 6, 1953, now Patent No. 2,886,816.

The present invention is particularly suitable for closing the ends of tubular casings, such as those employed for sausage meats, and other moldahle or plastic materials, although it has wide application and may be used to close flexible portions of a variety of containers.

lt is customary to till long casings, either of the animal or artificial type, and then divide them into individual article, or else to take and till individual casings oi predetermined length. In either case it is necessary to close the ends of the casings of the individual articles. This is accomplished in the present invention by novel clips of suitable material.

The clips of the present invention have great strength and may be employed to completely seal the ends of the articles so that they are gas and liquid tight. The clips automatically adjust themselves to the gathered portion of the casing they surround. This not only results in a perfect seal each time, but makes it possible to use a clip of one size for casings of various types and sizes.

The applied clips in addition to being extremely strong, are devoid of any sharp edges that might injure either the casings on which they are employed or any other articles with which they may come in contact.

Because of the strong, tight seal resulting from clips embodying the present invention, many foods and other materials now necessarily packed in cans or jars may be packed in suitable liexible casings sealed at the ends with the clips and maintained in good condition indefinitely.

In carrying out the present method, a thin ribbon or strip of suitable material, such as aluminum, is formed substantially U-shaped in transverse section and cut t proper length. rl`his blank is forced tightly about the portion of the casing or other flexible container to be sealed, with the closed side of the blank adjacent the casing and the spaced sides extending outwardly. The clip, which is of sucient length to permit one end to overlap the other, is then tightened until the end of the container closed thereby is made gas and liquid tight.

The apparatus of the present invention receives a continuous strip of clip material, shapes the strip so that it is substantially U-shaped in cross section and cuts ofi a proper length of material to form a clip blank. Thereafter the portion of the casing that is to receive the clip is gathered together and the clip is then forced tightly about the gathered casing with the closed side of the U- shaped clip adjacent the casing and the spaced sides eX- ending outwardly. The machine may be entirely automatic and apply clips to a continuous length of casing lilled automatically by a lling or stuting machine. However, the present machine may be semi-automatic, in

which case it is actuated by the operator when desired to place the clip about the casing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a clip for closing and sealing the flexible ends of containers.

Another object is to provide such a clip which will maintain the container tightly sealed although the container is subjected to rough handling.

A further object is to provide a clip which will adjust itself to the gathered portion of the container it tits about.

Still another object is to provide a clip of such type that a single size blank may be employed to close containers of Various sizes and made of different materials.

An additional object isto provide a clip of the above type that may be quickly and easily formed and secured in place.

A still further object is to provide a method for forming and applying such clips to tiexible container portions.

Still another object is to provide automatic and semiautomatic machines for forming the clip blanks and properly securing the clips in place to close the containers.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and claims when considered with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view partially in section of a single acting clipping machine embodying the present invention with the front cover plate removed therefrom;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional View partially in elevation taken on the line 2 2 of FIG. l, but including the front cover;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of FIG. l, but including the front cover;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line i-Li of FIG. l, but including the front cover;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the machine shown in FIG. l, but including the front cover;

FIG. 6 is a front eelvational view of a portion of the machine shown in FIG. l with certain parts thereof in changed position; Y

FIG. 7 is a side elevational View partially in section, of the male and female for-ming tools mounted in their respective tool holders;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the male forming tool and holder shown in FIG. 7;

FlG. 9 is an enlarged side elevational view of the female forming tool initially shaping the clip blank about the forming pin;

FIG. l() is a side elevational View of the male and female forming tools shown in FIG. 7, cooperating to further bend the blank about a cxible casing portion;

FIG. l1 is a view similar to FIG. l0 showing the forming tools at the completion of the forming operation with the clip tightly looped about a iiexible casing portion to close it;

PIG. l2 is a top plan View of a gathering or iris member employed in the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the iris member shown in FlG. 12; Y

FIG. 14 is an end elevational view of the operating end of the iris member shown in FIGS. l2 and 13;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the female forming tool mounted in its slide or carrier;

FG. 16 is an end elevational view of the tool and carrier shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the tool and carrier yshown in FIGS. l5 and 16;

FIG. i8 is a top plan view of a gathering or iris member for cooperating with that shown in FIGS. l2-14;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational View of the iris member shown in FIG. 18; i

plate 13. While any ,pairs of opposed notches aereos? -FIG. 2O isan end'elevational view of the iris member shown in FIGS. 18 and 19;

FIG. 2l is a vertical crossfsectional view taken on the line 21-21 of FIG. l;

FIG. 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 22--22 of FIG. 1; FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the initial forming pin employed in the single-acting machine of FIGS. 1-22;

FIG. 24 is -a view of the strip of clip materialfrom which the clips are formed;

FIG. is a View of a exible container with a clip secured thereon by the clipping machine of FIGS. l-23;

FIG. 26 is a side elevational view partially in section of a double-acting clipping machine for simultaneously applying two clips to a flexible container, with the front cover plate removed;

FIG 27 is a cross-sectional view partially in elevation taken on the line 27-27 of FIG. 26, but including the front and rear covers;

FIG. 28 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken on the line 28-23 of `FlGf. 26, but including the frontand rear covers;

FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of the initial forming pin employed in the clipping machine shown in FIGS. 26-28; and

FIG. is a side elevational view of a portion of flexible casing with the two clips secured thereon in spaced relation by the double-acting clipping machine of FIGS.

lReferring to the drawings and more particularly .to FIGS. 1 23, there is shown a single-acting clipping machine for forming clip blanks and then securing them in place about a flexible casing for the purpose of closing and sealing it. The single-acting machine is preferably of a semi-automatic type being so arranged that when actuated by the operator, it will go through one complete 'cycle which may consist of forming the clip blank,

initially bending it, crimping or gathering the flexible casing portion to be closed, and tightly securing the clip about the gathered casing portion to seal it. The machine may be employed for closing and sealing one end of an empty casing portion and also for closing and sealingthe open end of a filled casing.

The single-acting machine may comprise a base 11 mounted on suitable supports such as the legs 12. EX-

tending upwardly from the base 11 is a rear supporting plate 13 uponwhich various of the parts of the machine are mounted. It also serves as a rear -cover plate.

A holder 14 for -a roll of suitable strip material from which the clips are formed is secured on the supporting suitable material may be employed forthe clips, metal,l particularly aluminum, has been found preferable due to its strength, ductility and workability. Aluminum strips 1%6 yof an inch Wide and 0.025

4inch'thick have proven Very satisfactory. The strip or blank, illustrated in FIG. 24, is preferably provided with extending inwardly from opposite sides of the dat clip material. The notches are spaced apart a distance equal to the length of the clip. The lower edges of the notches extend substantially at right angles to the length of the strip as shown at 16,

although the outer corners are preferably slightly rounded. The upper sides of the notch defining the lower end of a clip blank are rounded as shown at 17 and the upper and lower notch edges are connected by a narrow neck 18.

The fiat material 15 is fed preferably in a continuous A strip from the roll'mounted in the roll holder 14 into the its periphery grooved and the cooperating roll 23 is beaded at the periphery `to fit into the groove in the roll 22. The rolls are suitably mounted on the rear supportforming a central slot.

' formingl pin 36, all move .ing plate 13 and have intermeshing gears associated therewith. After passing through the forming rolls 22 and 23 the strip is substantially lU-shaped in transverse secw tion with the closed side rounded and the two opposed sides extending outwardly therefrom in spaced substantially parallel relation.

lFrom the rolls 22 and 23, the strip passes downwardly between a pair of guides 24 and 2S fixedly mounted on the rear supporting plate 13. The inner face of the guide 24 is grooved to provide a channel for the closed side of the channel-shaped strip, while lthe opposed face of the guide 25 is flat for engaging the outwardly extending opposed sides of the blank and holding it in the groove in the guide 24.

The feed of the strip 15 is provided by suitable mechanism mounted on a pullfdown shaft 26 vertically movable in lthe base 11. The lower end of the pull-down shaft 26 is connected to a piston 27 reciprocable in an air cylinder 2S located below the base 11 and provided with air supply lines 29 at its opposite ends. Suitable valve means control the supply and exhaust of the air to and from the opposite ends of the cylinder 28 to effect reciprocation of the piston 27 and the shaft 26.

.Movement of the piston may be limited exactly by a plug 3G threaded into the lower end of the cylinder and locked in place by a set screw thereon.

A clip guide 31 is mounted on the upper end of the pull-down shaft by bolts or other suitable means. At the lower end of the clip guide 31 there is a cutoff bar 32. The inner face of the clip guide 31 is provided with a channel for receiving the rounded side of the strip 15 therein. Also mounted at the upper end of the pull-down shaft 23 is a latch holder or block 33 having a slot in the lower end for a pivotally mounted latch 34 shaped to iit into thrV notches in the sides of the strip. The latch is urged toward the strip 15 by a leaf spring 35.

Also mounted on the pull-down shaft 26 is a forming pin 36 shown particularly in FIG. 23. The base of the pin 36 lits into an opening provided therefor in the shaft 26 slightly .below the cutoff bar 32. A groove 37 of a shape to receive the closed side of 4the U-shaped strip 15 is formed in one side of the pin 36. A set screw 38 may be provided to maintain the forming pin in proper position. The piston 27 and pull-down shaft 26 are arranged to move the length of one clip blank from their lower to upper position. When the shaft 26 moves, the clip guide 31, latch 34, latch block 33, cuto bar 32 and as a unit.

Inthe upper position of the pull-down shaft shown in -FIG. 1, the latch 34 is positioned to engage a pair of notches in the U-shaped strip 15. Thereafter downward movement of the shaft 26 moves the strip 15 downwardly a distance equal to the length of a clip blank (FIG. 6)

-and positions the lower end of the strip 15 in position to shaft from its channel is prevented by a guide plate 39 detachably secured to the front of the rib 13b.

Latch means are also provided for maintaining the strip 15 stationary while the shaft 26 is moved from its lower f to upper position. A block 41 is secured to the rear supporting plate 13 and the forward end thereof is bifurcated Mounted in this slot about a pivot at its upper end, is a latch 42 which is urged forward toward the channel-shaped strip 15 by a spring 43. The latch 42 is shaped to engage the notches in the opposite sides of the strip 15 and prevent upward movement thereof, but is rounded on its top to permit the strip to be moved downwardly while the latch 42 is Imoved rearwardly against the action of the spring 43. The latch 43 is so located that when the latch 34 carried by the pull-down shaft 26 is in its upper position the distance from the latch 34 to the latch 42 is twice the length of the individual clip blanks which are severed from the end of the strip. The above mechanism also acts as indexing means to locate accurately the strip so that a blank of exactly the proper length will be severed from the lower end thereof.

While the machine embodying the present invention may be used for closing and sealing various types of flexible casings, or containers having flexible portions, it is particularly suited for use in connection with tubular casings of the general type heretofore used for sausage meats and the like. Some of these casings are secured from animals, while others are made artificially from plastics and other suitable materials.

in the present machine two sets of gathering or iris members of the type shown in FIGS. 12-14 and 18-20, are preferably employed for gathering the casing on each side of the portion that is to receive a clip. Each member of a cooperating pair preferably comprises a -slide having a pair of diverging jaws at the inner end thereof, transversely offset from each other forming a diverging opening as viewed in side elevation. Referring to FIGS. 12,-14, the slide 44 is provided with a relatively large, downwardly tapering jaw 45 and an upper tapering smaller jaw 45 laterally oifset therefrom. A rounded opening 47 is provided between the jaws 4S and 46.

The other cooperating gathering or iris member 48 is provided with a relatively large downwardly tapering jaw 49 and a smaller upwardly tapering jaw 5l offset therefrom as shown in FIGS. 18-20. A rounded groove 52 is provided adjacent the intersection of the two jaws. When the two iris members 44 and 48 are arranged with their inner ends facing each other and are moved toward each other, they cooperate to gather the casing and crowd it into the rounded inner openings 47 and 52 by constantly reducing the area between the jaws of a cooperating pair of gathering members. Referring to FlG. 4, it will be seen that when the spaced pairs of cooperating iris members 4e and 43 are moved toward each other, a flexible casing portion positioned therebetween will be compressed at two spaced places. The space between the two pairs of gathering members is preferably substantially equal to the width of a channel-shaped clip blank.

The clip forming and applying members will now be described. A pair of cooperating slides may be provided for carrying the tools employed in shaping and aftxing the clip to the casing or other container. One of the slides is preferably positioned between the two spaced ycrimping members at each side of the material to be closed. A guide member 53 is secured to the lower portion of the rear supporting plate 13 and extends horizontally the full length of the machine. It is provided with a central longitudinal groove of a width to receive therein the tool holders 54 and 55, shown particularly in FIGS. 6-11 and -17. The tool holder 54 carries the female tool (FIGS. 15-17), and the tool holder for the male tool is shown most clearly in FIGS. 6 8. Top guide members 56 and 57 provided at the opposite ends of the device for guiding the upper sides of the crimping members and tool holders, have central longitudinal grooves in their lower faces in which the upper edges of the tool holders 54 and 55 slide. The iris members on each side thereof are narrower from top to bottom than the tool holders and ride on the opposed faces of the top and bottom guide members. Front guide plates 58 are secured to the end frame portions 59 of the machine and maintain the iris members 44 and 48 therebetween.

The tool holder S4 is provided with a cutout portion in its upper forward corner in which is secured the female forming tool 60. This tool is provided with a diverging substantially V-shaped opening at its forward or inner end with the portions 66a adjacent thereto cut out to receive therein the opposed anges of the channel-shaped strip 15, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9-1l, so that when associated with the female forming tool the flanges of the clip blank will not project outwardly beyond the sides of said tool. Extending rearwardly from the forward or inner end of the female tool 6ft is a pair of spaced slots 61 and 62, which are provided with openings 63 communicating with the outer surface of the tool, thus preventing any foreign material from collecting in the slots 61 and 62, and preventing the entry of the male forming tool intended to be received therein. The upper forward edge of the female forming tool is providedwith a knife edge 63a for cooperating with the lower surface of the cutting bar 32 to sever clip blanks from the strip 1'5.

The male forming tool 64 is secured at the inner or forward end of the tool carrier slide 55. It is also V- shaped at its inner end and is sufficiently narrow from top to bottom to slide into the slots 61 and 62 in the female forming tool, as illustrated in FIGS. 7-11. One of the jaw portions of the male forming tools preferably extends rearwardly of the other forming a ledge or projection 66, of sufficient width to permit one end of the clip to engage it and be held against rotation while the clip is being forced about the casing.

The tool forming holder 54 at the left-hand side of the machine as viewed in FIGS. l and 6, may abut the end plate 67. It is also provided with a slot in the bottom thereof for closely fitting about a transverse stop member 68. Thus, in the form of device shown in FIGS. 1-23, the tool holder for the male forming tool is prevented from movement. This tool holder 54 is provided with a slot 71 in the rear side thereof and the gathering or iris members 44 on each side thereof are provided with similarly situated slots 72. A coil spring 73, shown particularly in FIGS. 6, 2l and 22 is positioned in said slots 71 and 72. The iris members 44 are also provided in the bottom thereof with a cutout portion 74 for fitting over the transverse stop member 68 and permitting limited movement of the crimping members. The spring 73 normally maintains the members 44 in their forward position spaced a slight distance from the rear plate 67. However, when pressure is applied to the inner ends of the members 44, they can be moved rearwardly against the action of the spring 73 until they engage the rear plate 67. Forward movement of the gathering members 44 is limited by the transverse stop bar 68.

The tool holder member 54 and the gathering or iris members 4S on each side thereof are moved forwardly from their retracted position shown in FIG. l, until the iris members compress the casing therebetween, and the forming tools 5S and 64 are brought together in overlapping relation as shown in FfG. l1. Tool holding member 54 is connected to the piston rod 75 of a piston '76 re- -ciprocable in a cylinder 77. Suitable air supply means are connected to the opposite ends of the cylinder 77 for effecting reciprocation of the piston therein. Any suitable means such as a pin or bolt 78 may be employed for connecting the piston rod 75 to the tool holder 54.

The tool holder 54 is provided with a longitudinal slot 79 and the crimping members 43 on each side thereof are provided with central slots 81 for receiving therein a coil spring S2. Although only the tool holding member 54 is shown as being connected to the piston rod 75, when the tool holder 54 is moved forwardly by movement of the piston 76, the iris members 4S are carried forwardly therewith by the spring S2. However, after the iris members 44 and 4S are moved together to compress the casing therebetween, they remain in this position while the tool carrying member 54 moves forwardly and the female forming tool reaches the overlapping position with respect to the male forming tool shown in FIG. l1, at which time the clip is tightly forced about the casing.

In the operation of the clipping machine shown in FIGS. L23, the various parts operate in controlled sequence. With the machine in the position shown in FIG. 1, air is admitted to the cylinder 28 to force the piston 27 than 0.02 inch for many purposes.

sovogoer Aau-dthe pulldown shaft 26 downwardly' to their lower positions. As the rod 26 moves downwardly the latch 34 carried thereby pulls the strip downwardly a distance equal to the length of one clip biank and the forming pin 36 likewise moves downwardly until the parts are in the position shown in FIG. 6. Air is then supplied to the rear end of cylinder 77 to force the piston 76 inwardly, thus moving the tool carrier 54 inwardly. Upon inward movement of the female forming tool 58, the knife edge 63a at the top thereof cooperates with the cutting bar 32, then in its lower position, to sever the portion of the channelshaped strip 15 extending therebelow, which is one clip length. Furthermovement of the forming tool 58 bends theV clip about the forming pin 36' into substantially a V- shape. The closed side of the'channel-sha'ped clip lies in the groove 37 or" the forming pin 36 so that the clip 'blank is bent to bring the outer ends of the closed side of the clip toward each other in the position shown in FIG. 9.

' After this initial forming operation, air is directed to the opposite side of the piston 76 to move it rearwardly a slight distance to withdraw the tool 58 and the clip thereon away from the forming pin 36.' 'At this pointair is admitted to the lower end of the cylinder 2S and'raises the pull-down shaft 26 upwardly carrying the forming pin out of the way. When this has occurred, air is again supplied to the outer end of cylinder 77 to move the piston rod and the tool carrying member 54 inwardly again. As the tool carrying member 54 moves inwardly the irises 48 on each side thereof are carried inwardly by the spring 82 until they overlap and crimp the casing in the grooves 47 and 52. This will also-move the crimping members `44 against the end plate 67 against-the action of the spring 7 3l With the casing crimped by the crimping members 44 and 48, the female forming tool and clip blanks are carried forward by further movement of the tool carrier 54, until the clip is forced tightly about the crimped portion of the casing, as shown in FIG. ll. As the lower end of the clip will abut the ledge 66, closing of the tool forming members will result in the upper portion of the clip being looped tightly about the casing and beneath the lower end of the clip substantially as illustrated in FIG. 25.

Y The shape of the present clip is very advantageous, as

it results in a clip that not only is very strong, but one which will not injure the casing or any other articles it cornes into Contact with in any way. Due to the rounded shoulders 17 of the blank, the exposed edges 83 of the applied clip are round and free of any sharp edges or corners, and with the closed side of the channel-shaped clip adjacent the casing, there is no likelihood of injuring either the casing upon which the clip is .secured or anything else coming into contact with the clip. Also the outwardly extending opposed sides of the clip act as reinforcing ribs and result in a clip of great strength that will remain tight despite rough handling of ythe article upon which it is secured. rfhis permits the use of a relatively light aluminum strip having a thickness of less Even with such light material the resulting seal may be made gas and liquid tight so that food products may be kept therein for indeiinite periods oi time without any likelihood of spoiling.

A fully automatic double-acting clipping machine for applying pairs of spaced clips simultaneously is disclosed in FlGS.26-29. This machine is intended for use with automatic machines that continuously till endless 'lengths of casing with measured amounts of material. The double-acting fully automatic machine is preferably synchronized with the filling machine and simultaneously closes charge from the metering and iilling machine. With such machines it is possible to continuously iill endless lengths of casing with metered charges of material, sealth'e casing with pairs ofspaced clips between each of the charges, and then sever the clipped casing between the pairs of adjacent clips to form the completed individual'articles.

The construction of the fully automatic double-acting machine is substantially the same as the single-acting machine except that many parts or groups of parts, such as the iris members and forming tools, are duplicated and arranged side-by-side as shown in FIG. 27. In this form of machine there is a central supporting structure 101 in which the pull-down shaft 102 reciprocates (FIG. 28). Only a single pull-down shaft is required as the various parts carried thereby are arranged on opposite sides thereof`instead of only on one side as in the single-acting machine.

t A pair of cooperating shaping -rolls is rotatably mounted on each side of the supporting structure. Each pair includes a roll 103 having a peripheral groove and a cooperating roll 104 having a peripheral bead thereon for giving a'channel shape to the strips 15 previously described herein. OnV each side ofthe pull-down shaft 102 there is av clip guidetmember 105 having a groove on its Uinner face for receiving the rounded closed side of the channel-shaped strip 15. At the lower end of each of the strip 'guides 105 there is a cutoff bar 106. Also mounted on opposite sides of the shaft 162 are latches 107 mounted in blocks 168 and held against the strips 15 by springs 109. Positioning latches 111 mounted on stationary blocks 112 and also held against the strips 15 by springs 113 hold the channel-shaped strips stationary while the shaft and latches 197 are being moved from lower to upper position. Also carried on each side of the shaft 1112 are forming pins 114 shown particularly in FIG. 29. The pins 114 have slots 115 in one side thereof similar to the pin 36 for receiving the rounded sides ofthe channel-shaped strips The shaft 102 is reciprocated by a piston 117 in a cylinder118. As in the single acting machine, the length of the stroke of the piston 117 is controlled by the position of the plug 119 held in desired position by a set screw 120. 'Iwo spaced substantially parallel tool carriers 121, similar to the tool carrying members 54 and having female forming tools 122 at their inner ends, are arranged at opposite sides of the central supporting structure 101. A gathering member 123 similar tothe gathering member 48 is positioned on each side of the tool carrying members-'121, thus forming two sets, each of which consists of a tool carrying member with its tool and a gathering member 123 on each side thereof.` Both tool carrying members 121 are connected by suitable means tothe l piston rod .124 of a piston 125 mounted in the air cylinyder 126.

A coil spring 127 is positioned in the openings provided therefor in the tool carrier 121 and the gathering membersy 123, thus tending to move the gathering members with their adjacent tool carrying member. As in the single-acting machine the top and bottom guides for the tool carriers and gathering members are provided-with grooves in which the upper-and lower edges of the tool carrying members 121 ride while the upper and lower edges of the gathering members on each side thereof engage the opposed faces of the guides on both'sides of the grooves. Suitable front and rear cover plates 127a are also provided at the right end of the machine as viewed in FIG.26.

It is thus to be seen that except for the duplication of various parts or groups of parts, the central yand right end portions of the double-acting machine are substantially the same as those in the single-acting machine.

' However, the left end of the double-acting machine, as viewed in FIG. 26, is constructed to provide the reciprocation of the tool carrying members and the gathering or iris members i129 adjacent thereto. Two spaced, substantially parallel tool carrying members 128 are arranged for cooperating with the tool carrying members 12 1. Mounted in the inner ends of the tool carriers 12S there are male forming tools 131 which are substantially the same as the male forming tools 64. Coil springs 132 are arranged in similar openings 133 provided therefor in the tool carriers 123 and the iris members 129 on each side of the tool carriers for moving each group as a unit.

The tool carrier 123 is connected at its outer end t0 the piston rod 134 of a piston 13S in an air cylinder 136. Suitable conduits are provided for the supply of air to and the exhaust of air from the opposite sides of the piston i135.

A bottom guide member 137 extending the length of the machine is provided with spaced grooves in the bottom thereof in which the lower edges of the tool carrying members `128 and 121 ride at opposite ends of the machine. An upper guide member 13S positioned above the tool carrying members 128 also has grooves therein in which the upper edges of the tool members 128 ride. The iris members 129 on each side of the tool carriers 128 engage the opposed faces of the guide members 137' and :138 adjacent the grooves. Suitable cover plates 141 are also provided adjacent the outer faces of the iris members 129, and serve with the central supporting plate to provide a passageway for each tool carrier 128 and the adjacent iris member 129.

in the operation of the double-acting machine the piston .117 is first actuated to pull down the shaft 132 from its upper position, shown in FIG. 26, to its lower position with the initial forming pins opposite the female forming tools 122. When the pull-down shaft 102 has reached its lower position the piston 12S is actuated to move the female forming tools 122 inwardly a distance suliicient to sever clip blanks from the lower end of the strips 15 and initially shape the severed blanks until they are substantially V-shaped, as shown in FIG. 9. Piston 125 is then forced outwardly to retract the tools 122 after which the pull-down bar is returned to its upper position. Thereupon pistons 125 and 13S are simultaneously moved inwardiy to carry the tools and iris members connected to each inwardly. This continues until the iris members 123 and `129 gather the casing in the rounded openings adjacent the intersection of their jaws. While the iris members remain in this position the forming tools 122 and 131 continue to move inwardly until they cooperate to force the clip blanks in a loop tightly about the casing portion, substantially as illustrated in FIGS. l0 and ll. The pistons 125 and 13S are then retracted to their outer position.

The double-acting machine as heretofore pointed out is preferably synchronized with a metering and lilling machine, in such manner that as soon as the endless casing has received a charge of material, the clipping machine goes through one complete cycle to secure a pair of spaced clips to the casing. The clipping machine then remains stationary While another charge is supplied to the casing and the casing with the charge therein is moved to a position to receive two more clips at which time the clipping machine is again actuated. With the present single or double-acting machine, clips formed of relatively light material may be quickly and easily secured to flexible casing portions to seal them off. The clips when in place are suliiciently strong to maintain the closed portion of the casing gas and liquid tight despite rough handling.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and it is contemplated therefore by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A closed container having material therein comprising a flexible casing portion and a clip tightly secured thereabout, said clip being substantially U-shaped in cross section with a pair of spaced outwardly extending flanges of substantially uniform width throughout substantially its full length and a central strip connecting said flanges, said central strip having adjacent said casing portion, and being annularly and tightly arranged about said liexible portion with the U-shaped end portions of said clip in overlapping superposed interiitting relation.

2. A continuous blank capable of being formed into a clip substantially channel shaped in cross section and annularly positioned about a flexible casing portion with the closed side of said clip adjacent said portion, comprising an elongated narrow strip of substantially imperforate ductile metal of substantially uniform Width having pairs of substantially transversely aligned notches extending inwardly from the opposite edges and longitudinally spaced apart a distance equal to the length of the clip to be formed, said notches having corresponding sides with at least a substantial portion thereof extending substantially transversely of said strip and the opposite sides o said notches rounded and forming diverging openings.

3. A iiexible tubular casing having one end closed by a clip tightly secured thereabout, said clip being substantially U-shaped in cross section with a pair of spaced outwardly extending llanges of substantially uniform width throughout substantially its full length and a central strip connecting said iianges, said central strip being adjacent said casing portion and being annularly and tightly arranged about said casing end with the U-shaped end portions of said clip in overlapping superposed interiitting relation.

4. The method of applying to container having a flexible portion to be closed a clip blank substantially U-shaped in a cross section substantially throughout its length and of a length to lit about said flexible portion with the ends overlapping, which comprises moving the ends of the closed side of said blank a substantial distance toward each other, positioning said blank partially about said flexible portion with the closed side of said blank adjacent said portion, and thereafter forcing said clip blank annularly about said portion and reducing the size thereof until said blank tightly grips said portion and the channel shaped end portions of said blank are in overlapping superposed interfitting relation.

5. The method of closing a container having a flexible portion to be closed, which comprises initially bending a substantially straight clip blank of substantially uniform U-shaped cross section throughout its length by moving the ends of the closed side of said blank toward each other and arranging them partially about the liexible portion to be closed with the closed side of said clip blank adjacent said portion, said blank being of a length to tit about the flexible portion to be closed with the ends of the blank in overlapping position further bending the free ends of said blank to substantially encircle said portion, forcing said clip substantially into an annulus about said portion with the ends of said clip overlapping superposed and intcriitting, and contracting said annularly arranged clip tightly about said portion while maintaining said ends in overlapping superposed interiitting position to seal said container.

6. The method of closing a container having a flexible portion to be closed, which comprises initially bending a substantially straight clip blank of substantially uniform U-shaped cross section throughout its length by moving the ends of the closed side of said blank toward each other and arranging them partially about the flexible portion to be closed with the closed side of said clip blank adjacent said portion, said blank being of a length to iit about the exible portion to be closed with the ends of the blank in overlapping position further bending the free ends of said blank to substantially encircle said portion, forcing said clip substantially into an annulus about said portion with the ends overlapping superposed and intertting while maintaining one end of said clip substantially Xed withV respect to 'saidportion, and contracting -said annularly arranged clip tightly about said portion While maintaining said ends in overlapping superposed interttting position and saidone end substantially xed toseal said container.

7. The method of closing a container having a exible portion to be closed which comprises feeding longitudinally andiorming into longitudinal channel shape a strip of clip material of substantially uniform width having pairs of substantially transversely aligned notches extending inwardly from the opposite edges thereof and longitudinally spaced apart a distance equal to the desired length of a clip blank, severing said strip at said pairs of notches to -form a clip blank and forcing the thus formed lblank y annularly and tightly about the portion of the container to be closed with the closed side of said clip adjacent said exible portion and the ends of said clip in overlapping superposed intertting relation.

References Cited in the `tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 339,852 VCaldwell Apr. 13, 1886 Y 943,652 Y Coe et al. 'Dec. 21, 1909 2,307,181 Young Jan. 5,' 1943 2,338,927 Gerendas Jan. ll, 1944 2,447,754 Hirschhorn Aug. 24, 1948 Y 2,628,396 Grimes et al, Feb. 17, 1953 2,693,875 Chaffee Nov. 9, 1954 2,700,805 Bedford Feb. 1, 1955 2,706,370 'Snyder Apr. 19, 1955 V2,735,149 Frank ..-Feb. 21, 1956 

1. A CLOSED CONTAINER HAVING MATERIAL THEREIN COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE CASING PORTION AND A CLIP TIGHTLY SECURED THEREABOUT, SAID CLIP BEING SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED IN CROSS SECTION WITH A PAIR OF SPACED OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGES OF SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM WIDTH THROUGHOUT SUBSTANTIALLY ITS FULL LENGTH AND A CENTRAL STRIP CONNECTING SAID FLANGES, SAID CENTRAL STRIP HAVING ADJACENT SAID CASING PORTION, 